Topical Encyclopedia
Meshech is a name that appears in the Bible, primarily in the Old Testament, and is associated with a people and a region. The name is often mentioned in genealogical and prophetic contexts, reflecting its significance in the ancient Near Eastern world.
Genealogical ContextMeshech is first introduced in the Table of Nations in
Genesis 10, where he is listed as one of the sons of Japheth, the son of Noah.
Genesis 10:2 states, "The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras." This genealogical listing places Meshech among the descendants who are traditionally understood to have settled in regions north of the Near East, often associated with the peoples of Asia Minor and the areas surrounding the Black Sea.
Geographical and Historical AssociationsThe descendants of Meshech are often linked with the Mushki, an ancient people who lived in the region of Anatolia, which is modern-day Turkey. This association is supported by historical records outside the Bible, where the Mushki are mentioned in Assyrian inscriptions as a significant group in the region.
Prophetic ReferencesMeshech is also mentioned in the prophetic books of the Bible, where it is often paired with Tubal, another son of Japheth. In
Ezekiel 27:13 , Meshech and Tubal are noted as trading partners with Tyre: "Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your merchants; they exchanged slaves and bronze utensils for your merchandise." This indicates their involvement in the trade networks of the ancient world.
Ezekiel 38 and 39 contain some of the most notable references to Meshech in a prophetic context. In
Ezekiel 38:2-3 , God instructs the prophet to set his face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: "Son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Prophesy against him and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: 'Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.'" These chapters describe a future invasion of Israel by a coalition of nations, with Meshech playing a significant role in this eschatological event.
Cultural and Theological SignificanceIn the biblical narrative, Meshech represents one of the many nations that surround Israel, often depicted as part of the broader Gentile world. The prophetic mentions of Meshech highlight the theme of God's sovereignty over all nations and His ultimate plan for judgment and redemption. The inclusion of Meshech in these prophecies underscores the interconnectedness of the ancient world and the unfolding of divine purposes through history.
ConclusionWhile the exact historical and geographical identity of Meshech remains a subject of scholarly debate, its biblical portrayal as a significant people group in the ancient world is clear. Meshech's role in biblical prophecy continues to be a topic of interest for those studying eschatological themes and the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel and the nations.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Meshechwho is drawn by force
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Drawing out, the sixth son of Japheth (
Genesis 10:2), the founder of a tribe (
1 Chronicles 1:5;
Ezek. 27:13;
38:2, 3). They were in all probability the Moschi, a people inhabiting the Moschian Mountains, between the Black and the Caspian Seas. In
Psalm 120:5 the name occurs as simply a synonym for foreigners or barbarians. "During the ascendency of the Babylonians and Persians in Western Asia, the Moschi were subdued; but it seems probable that a large number of them crossed the Caucasus range and spread over the northern steppes, mingling with the Scythians. There they became known as Muscovs, and gave that name to the Russian nation and its ancient capital by which they are still generally known throughout the East"
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MESHECH; MESECHme'-shek, me'-sek (meshekh, "long," "tall"; Mosoch): Son of Japheth (Genesis 10:21 Chronicles 1:5;1 Chronicles 1:17 is a scribal error for "Mash"; compareGenesis 10:22, 23). His descendants and their dwelling-place (probably somewhere in the neighborhood of armenia (Herodotus iii.94)) seem to be regarded in Scripture as synonyms for the barbaric and remote (Psalm 120:5; compareIsaiah 66:19, where Meshech should be read instead of "that draw the bow"). It is thought that the "Tibareni and Moschi" of the classical writers refer to the same people. Doubtless they appear in the annals of Assyria as enemies of that country under the names Tabali and Mushki-the latter the descendants of Meshech and the former those of Tubal to whom the term "Tibareni" may refer in the clause above. This juxtaposition of names is in harmony with practically every appearance of the word in Scripture. It is seldom named without some one of the others-Tubal, Javan, Gog and Magog. It is this which forms a good justification for making the suggested change inIsaiah 66:19, where Meshech would be in the usual company of Tubal and Javan. Ezekiel mentions them several times, first, as engaged in contributing to the trade of Tyre (Tiras ofGenesis 10:2 ?), in "vessels of brass" and-very significantly-slaves; again there is the association of Javan and Tubal with them (Ezekiel 27:13); second, they are included in his weird picture of the under-world: "them that go down into the pit" (Ezekiel 32:18, 26). They are mentioned again with Gog and Magog twice as those against whom the prophet is to "set his face" (Ezekiel 38:2, 3;Ezekiel 39:1).
Henry Wallace
Strong's Hebrew
4902. Meshek -- a son of Japheth, also his desc. and their land... and their land. Transliteration: Meshek Phonetic Spelling: (meh'-shek) Short Definition:
Meshech.
... and their land NASB Word Usage
Meshech (10). Mesech,
Meshech.
...Library
Chapter x
... 2. The sons of Japheth: Gomer and Magog and Madai and Javan and Tubal and
Meshech and Tiras.... "Meshech" are known to Herodotus as hooci....
The Nations of the North-East
... East of them came theMeshech and Tubal of the Bible as well as the kingdom
of Comagene, of which we often hear in the Assyrian texts....
The Song of the Three Children
... and magnify him for ever.' It was proper to do so: because the Ananias, Azarias,
and Misael mentioned in it, are the same as the Shadrach,Meshech, and Abednego...
Introduction
... the "Profane Wicked Prince of Israel" (21:25), and again under the figure of the
"Prince of Tyre" (28:2-10), and also as "the chief Prince ofMeshech and Tubal...
Ezekiel's Discourse
... wares. Javan, Tubal, andMeshech, they were thy traffickers: they traded
the persons of men and vessels of brass for thy merchandise....
The Broad Wall
... say with David: "Ah! woe is me that I. InMeshech dwell so long: That I in
tabernacles stay,. To Kedar that belong!". Your soul would...
What and Whence are These?
... Didst thou also cry, Woe is me, for I dwell inMeshech?'" To such questions each
one of the perfected saints would reply that their perils were such as ours...
The Fainting Warrior
... Its contact with sin brings it pain and misery, and it cries out, "Woe is me that
I dwell inMeshech, that I tabernacle in the tents of Kedar."....
[Endnotes]
... ". JAPHETH. Gomer, Magog. Madai. Javan, Tubal.Meshech. Tiras. Ashkenaz,
Elishah, Riphath, Tarshish, Togarmah. Kittim, Dodanim. It...
The Seventh (And Last) vision "On Earth"
... xxxix.17-22, where the cry is made concerning this or a subsequent [402] period,
when the Prince of Rosh (Russia) andMeshech (Moscow) and Tubal (Tobolsk) will...
Thesaurus
Meshech (11 Occurrences)... still generally known throughout the East". Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
MESHECH; MESECH. me'-shek, me'-sek (meshekh, "long," "tall
...Tubal (9 Occurrences)
... It is mentioned by Isaiah (66:19), along with Javan, and by Ezekiel (27:13), along
withMeshech, among the traders with Tyre, also among the confederates of...
Rosh (5 Occurrences)
... in the prophecies against Gog in Ezekiel 38:2, 3 and 39:1, where the King James
Version has "Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince ofMeshech and Tubal...
Mesech (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible EncyclopediaMESHECH; MESECH. me'-shek, me'-sek (meshekh,
"long," "tall"; Mosoch): Son of Japheth (Genesis 10...
Gog (12 Occurrences)
... gog (gogh; Goug): (1) A son of Joel, and descendant of the tribe of Reuben (1
Chronicles 5:4). (2) The prince of Rosh,Meshech and Tubal (Ezekiel 38:2; Ezekiel...
Javan (12 Occurrences)
... Javan (12 Occurrences). Genesis 10:2 The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan,
Tubal,Meshech, and Tiras. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Magog (5 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 10:2 The sons of Japheth:
Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal,Meshech, and Tiras....
Mash (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (=Meshech 1 Chronicles 1:17... "Meshech," however, is a Japhetic
name (Genesis 10:2), and "Mash" would seem to be the original reading....
Gomer (7 Occurrences)
... Gomer (7 Occurrences). Genesis 10:2 The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan,
Tubal,Meshech, and Tiras. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Tiras (2 Occurrences)
... Tiras (2 Occurrences). Genesis 10:2 The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan,
Tubal,Meshech, and Tiras. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Resources
What are Gog and Magog? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the sons of Noah, and what happened to them and their descendants? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Japheth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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